Arsenal re-energized their Premier League title challenge with a 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
The Gunners’ title bid had stuttered near the conclusion of last year, when they lost three of their last five Premier League games.
However, following a week-long winter vacation in Dubai, Mikel Arteta’s side returned reenergized, with a Gabriel header, a Dean Henderson own goal, a Leandro Trossard finish, and two late Gabriel Martinelli goals securing the three points.
Arsenal scored after the break from a Palace corner, which David Raya claimed and delivered to Gabriel Jesus on the break. The Brazilian found Leandro Trossard, who helped Arsenal’s much-maligned forward line by completing a clear-cut opportunity at the Emirates Stadium.
The first two goals were from corners, the first coming in the 11th minute when Gabriel nodded in before the defender’s header from another set-piece struck Crystal Palace custodian Henderson and deflected into the net.
Though there was minimal response from the tourists. Instead, Arsenal increased their lead in the second half when Trossard went one-on-one with the custodian and finished confidently.
Martinelli added two goals in injury time, both stroked into the far corner, to the already comprehensive victory over Palace.
Arsenal now sit third, two points behind leaders Liverpool despite having played one more game. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace remains in 14th place in the league.
